Cong keeps NCP on tenterhooks on tie-up in Maharashtra

New Delhi: Congress on Monday kept NCP on
tenterhooks on the issue of alliance in the Maharashtra
Assembly elections though the party also remained ambivalent
on the question of merger between the two.

"At this point, we have no line on this issue. I cannot
discuss strategy...But we are coming up with a useful workable
strategy in the interest of Maharashtra and Congress," party
spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters in reply to a volley
of questions.

The questions included whether the Congress favoured an
alliance with Sharad Pawar`s party and its stand on the issue
of merger of the NCP with the Congress.

AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh speaking separately
said that it was his "personal view" that the NCP should merge
with the Congress.

Singh, a member of a high-level AICC committee which went
to Maharashtra, steered clear of questions on alliance with
the NCP. He said the anti-incumbency was more against the NCP
as they have more ministers.

In reply to a question, he said he always favoured
friendly fights.

On the issue of merger he said, "it was my personal
opinion that the issue of Sharad Pawar going out of Congress
is no longer relevant and valid and the political DNA of
Congress and NCP is the same. Ideology is the same and stock
is the same."